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The Master of Science in Nursing

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer and/or CSU Chico Open University coursework may be applied toward the degree.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

The online Master of Science in Nursing provides a comprehensive foundation in nursing education with a clinical focus in adult health. The courses are offered in a part-time, two-and-a-half-year cycle. The student must begin at the beginning of the cycle.

Core Courses: 6 units

2 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: College-level statistics, undergraduate research course.
The focus of this Web-based course is twofold: 1) to hone the analytic skills necessary to apply and conduct graduate-level research in nursing and 2) to explore and analyze the major nursing and health-related models and theories. Use of research and theory to influence changes in nursing care delivery in health care agencies and educational settings across the life span is emphasized. Ethical considerations and cultural competence are explored. The course provides the foundation for the master's culminating activity. 4 hours seminar. (015877)
This Web-based course explores the dynamic role of the master's-prepared nurse in a variety of settings. Theories and strategies for implementation of the advanced nursing role are applied, and issues related to the integration of the advanced nursing role are analyzed. 2 hours seminar. (015878)

Adult Health Courses: 9 units

3 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
This Web-based course examines advanced and complex physical, emotional, spiritual, and developmental changes as they relate to young, middle, and older adults, and frail elderly individuals from various cultural/ethnic groups. Selected bioethical, cultural/spiritual and socio-economic issues are briefly examined. Selected clinical phenomena are analyzed for their effect on adult individuals of various ages. Case studies are used to apply the course content holistically. 4 hours seminar. (015879)
Prerequisites: NURS 640.
This Web-based course analyzes the ethical, social, political, cultural, and economic factors influencing the American health care system. Population-based health care is emphasized. Strategies to maximize the use of existing resources are identified, alternative approaches are explored, and plans for implementing change within the current health care system are developed. 3 hours seminar. (015880)
Prerequisites: NURS 640, one year of clinical experience.
Corequisites: NURS 645.
This practicum course integrates the content from previous and concurrent courses using a preceptor model. Students provide advanced nursing care to a selected population. The impact of social, cultural, political, economic, and ethical factors on this population are analyzed. Appropriate strategies to provide advanced nursing care are implemented and evaluated. The implementation of an advanced nursing care role in a selected setting is analyzed and evaluated. 6 hours clinical. (015881)

Nursing Education Courses: 12 units

4 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
This course examines the increased role of technology in healthcare and its transformational impact on nursing. Students learn how to integrate technology into nursing education to create compelling learning environments. 2 hours seminar. (015876)
Prerequisites: NURS 640, NURS 645, NURS 647.
Corequisites: NURS 651.
The focus of this Web-based course is an analysis of major concepts and research on learning theory and teaching-learning strategies for the traditional and non-traditional learner. Evaluation processes such as clinical evaluation and test construction are explored. Cultural/ethnic, and ethical issues as applied to the educational setting are examined. Emphasis is on the development of the educator role. 4 hours seminar. (015882)
Prerequisites: NURS 640, NURS 645, NURS 647.
Corequisites: NURS 650.
The focus of this Web-based course is an analysis and evaluation of major concepts and research related to curriculum development. Students have the opportunity to work in groups to develop a curriculum and to evaluate a curriculum. 2 hours seminar. (015883)
Prerequisites: NURS 650, NURS 651.
This practicum course incorporates advanced nursing knowledge, teaching-learning theory, research, simulation methodology and outcome evaluation. Students gain experience through application of nursing knowledge in both the clinical setting and the simulation laboratory. 12 hours laboratory. (015884)

Culminating Activity: 3 units

3 units required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: NURS 620, NURS 640, NURS 645, NURS 650, NURS 651.
In this Web-based course, students begin the process of writing a research proposal. Students are expected to apply nursing theory, research, and specialty content from previous courses. 1 hour seminar. Credit/no credit grading. (015885)
Prerequisites: NURS 610, NURS 620, NURS 630, NURS 640, NURS 645, NURS 647, NURS 650, NURS 651, NURS 660.
Corequisite: NURS 657.
You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (020652)
Prerequisites: NURS 610, NURS 620, NURS 630, NURS 640, NURS 645, NURS 647, NURS 650, NURS 651, NURS 660.
Corequisite: NURS 657.
This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (006619)
Prerequisites: NURS 610, NURS 620, NURS 630, NURS 640, NURS 645, NURS 647, NURS 650, NURS 651, NURS 660.
Corequisite: NURS 657.
This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (006617)

Students must take 2 units of NURS 697P, NURS 699P or NURS 699T.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

The School of Nursing does not admit students to conditionally classified status.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

In addition to the requirements for admission to the Office of Graduate Studies, individuals seeking admission with Classified Status to the Master of Science Program in the School must have:

1. An acceptable baccalaureate in Nursing, including public health nursing, from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or an equivalent approved by the School of Nursing.

2. A current California license to practice as a registered nurse.

3. At least one year of clinical practice as a Registered Nurse within the last five years prior to enrolling in any practicum.

4. A 3-unit course in basic statistics with a grade of C- or higher. The course must have been completed within the five years prior to admission to the graduate program.

5. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last five years.

6. A completed application on file at the CSU, Chico Office of Graduate Studies.

7. A letter of intent/purpose submitted with the application.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion of 12 semester units of nursing program.

2. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

3. Successful completion and presentation of thesis proposal or project proposal, with approval by the Graduate Committee of the School of Nursing.

Requirements for the MS in Nursing:

Completion of all requirements as established by the School graduate committee, the student's thesis committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level course work as follows:

(a) 30 units in the discipline of Nursing.

(b) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable).

(c) Not more than 4 units of Independent Study (NURS 697); not more than 3 units of Master's Thesis (NURS 699T) or 3 units of Master's Project (NURS 699P).

2. Demonstrated writing competence (see "Literacy Requirement" below).

3. Completion of an approved thesis or an approved project of adequate scope and depth.

4. Satisfactory defense of the thesis, or presentation of the completed project, or completion of the professional paper.

5. Approval by the student's thesis, project, or professional paper committee and the Graduate Coordinator, and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Nursing majors will demonstrate their writing competence through successful completion of NURS 620, Advanced Nursing Research and Theory.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for all Nursing majors. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.

Catalog Cycle:13